restrictive
Americanadjective
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tending or serving to restrict.
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of the nature of a restriction.
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expressing or implying restriction or limitation of application, as terms, expressions, etc.
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Grammar. limiting the meaning of a modified element.
a restrictive adjective.
adjective
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restricting or tending to restrict
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grammar denoting a relative clause or phrase that restricts the number of possible referents of its antecedent. The relative clause in Americans who live in New York is restrictive; the relative clause in Americans, who are generally extrovert , is nonrestrictive
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of restrictive
1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French restrictif < Latin restrict ( us ) ( see restrict) + Middle French -if -ive
Explanation
Restrictive is an adjective that describes something that keeps people within certain boundaries. A household where you aren't allowed to play video-games, watch TV, or eat junk food is restrictive. If you noticed that restrictive is wrapped around the word strict, you're on to something. Strict comes from the Latin stringere, and you can probably guess what that means, right? Well, not "string," actually, but close: "to bind tight," either with string or rope or whatever does the job. The kids in a restrictive household are kept from doing so many things they might as well be tied up.
Vocabulary lists containing restrictive
"Women in Aviation," Vocabulary from the informational text
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Lesson 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Daniel Turnbull, senior director of markets at the CMA said: "Restrictive agreements by our leading retailers affect competition between supermarkets and impact shoppers trying to get the best deals."
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025
Restrictive practices used across industry raised costs for consumers, stifled innovation, closed off business opportunities for independent repair shops and created unnecessary electronic waste, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan said.
From Reuters • Oct. 24, 2023
Restrictive eating can also lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, making it even harder to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
From Salon • Oct. 11, 2023
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: People with this condition limit the types and amount of food they eat and may lose weight because of these behaviors.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2023
Restrictive relative clause: The book that is about history has a red cover.
From Practical Grammar and Composition by Wood, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
